Overview
The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Illinois Department of Agriculture, and the Illinois Department of Natural Resources began Earth Stewardship Day in 1991 to provide an Earth Day– related event for Sangamon County fourth-grade student to expose them to the interdependence of humans and natural resources at an impressionable age. Since then, Earth Stewardship Day has grown into a popular, fun event for nearly 1,000 students each year who learn about the importance of sustainability and natural resource management in a stimulating environment.
This event is generally held during the first week of May from 9:30 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. The students rotate through five to seven 20-minute interactive sessions. (Some featured presenters require 50-minute sessions.) Presenters from a wide range of agencies and organizations participate with hands-on activities addressing the importance of protecting, restoring, recycling, and reusing our natural resources.